In experiment 2, rats were fed the cholesterol diet for four weeks and injected (i

p.) with saline (control), amaranth squalene (AS) or shark liver squalene (SS, 200 mg/kg) for seven days. The hypolipidaemic effects of AS were evident in both serum and liver. In addition, AS markedly increased faecal excretions of cholesterol and bile acid, and slightly inhibited 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity. In contrast, none of these effects were observed in the SS group. This preliminary study suggests that the cholesterol-lowering effect of AS may be mediated by increased faecal elimination of steroids through interference with cholesterol absorption, and that different sources of squalene (plant versus animal) may affect cholesterol metabolism differently. squalane in terpene biosynthesis.Collagen polymorphisms of the intervertebral disc.The mechanical function and the collagen phenotype of the disc are complex, each a hybrid of elements of ligament and cartilage. In detail, the collagen properties are unique. Collagens I and II provide the bulk of the tissue fabric interwoven in opposing radial concentration gradients. From analysis of isolated cross-linked peptides, some degree of commingling of these major fibrillar collagens occurs down to the molecular level. Collagens V, VI, IX, XI, XII and XIV all contribute to the matrix. Collagen IX is the short molecular form that lacks a non-collagenous (NC)4 domain, not the long form found in most hyaline cartilages. Protein sequence and reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis confirmed this was the result of expression from the alternative transcription start site, not proteolysis of the long form. In view of recent reports that common single nucleotide polymorphisms in COL9A2 and COL9A3 are linked to chronic sciatica associated with disc pathology, the specific interactions and role of collagen IX in disc tissue are important to define.The Adjuvant Effect of Squalene, an Active Ingredient of Functional Foods, on Science, Tohoku University , Sendai , Japan.Medicine, Hokkaido University , Sapporo , Japan.University of Medicine , Kyoto , Japan.Many functional foods or physiologically active ingredients derived from plants and animals are actively being investigated for their role in chronic disease prevention. Squalene (SQ) is found as active ingredient in the functional foods predominantly present in olive oil and shark liver oil. It is known that during chemotherapy anticancer drugs induce inflammation. SQ has been thought to prevent and suppress inflammation; however, there is little direct evidence available. We examined the adjuvant effect of SQ on tumor-transplanted mice along with anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). SQ significantly suppressed the DOX-induced increase in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration (P < 05) in plasma of tumor-bearing mice. SQ inhibited the numbers of writhing response (P < 05), formalin-induced pain and decreased COX-2 and substance P expression in the tumor tissue compared to control mice and also enhanced the antitumor efficacy of DOX in allograft mice. Thus, SQ reduces inflammation through modulation of PGE2 production indicating its potential as an adjuvant during Technology transfer of an oil-in-water vaccine-adjuvant for strengthening pandemic influenza preparedness in Indonesia. Lausanne, Chemin des Boveresses 155, Epalinges CH-1066, Switzerland.With the current enzootic circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, the ability to increase global pandemic influenza vaccine production capacity is of paramount importance. This has been highlighted by, and is one of the main pillars of, the WHO Global Action Plan for Influenza Vaccines (GAP). Such capacity expansion is especially relevant in developing countries. The Vaccine Formulation Laboratory at University of Lausanne is engaged in the technology transfer of an antigen-sparing oil-in-water adjuvant in order to empower developing countries vaccine manufacturers to increase pandemic influenza vaccine capacity. In a one-year project funded by United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Vaccine Formulation Laboratory transferred the process know-how and associated equipment for the pilot-scale manufacturing of an oil-in-water adjuvant to Bio Farma, Indonesia's state-owned vaccine manufacturer, for subsequent formulation with H5N1 pandemic influenza vaccines. This paper describes the experience acquired and lessons learnt from Production of C20, C30 and C40 terpenes in the engineered phototrophic bacterium Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Germany. Electronic address: Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany. squalane : Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany. Electronic address: Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany. Electronic address: Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany. Electronic address: Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany. Electronic address: Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany. Electronic address: Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Germany; Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.